Reading Response Blog #3

9/28/2014

We've learned some powerful verbs for powerful thinking about our reading this past week. I would like you to try using them on your own to help you comprehend a part of your independent reading book.

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This Week's Prompt:

Choose 2-3 power verbs from the list above and use them to write about your independent reading book.
For example, if you choose to "describe" and "trace," you will need to choose something from your book to describe and something from your book to trace. "Describe" means to "tell about, paint a picture with words." "Trace" means to "list the steps, follow the path." See my example below.

Happy responding!

66 Comments

Ms. Kimball

9/28/2014 02:04:29 pm

Dear Class,

I just began a book called, "Schooled," by Gordon Korman. First, I will describe the main character, Cap. Then I will trace the steps that led him to a drastic change in his schooling.

Cap is a unique boy, both in how he looks and how he grew up. Cap's appearance is very unusual to most people. His hair is a long, tangled mess. His rough clothes, made of a natural material called hemp, seem disheveled and dirty. He was not brought up to care about his appearance and it shows in how he dresses and presents himself to others.

Cap was raised in a commune, which is a group of people living together and sharing possessions and responsibilities. In the commune, Cap was home-schooled, which means he never attended a school before. Because of this, people who meet Cap thinks he acts very strange. For example, Cap freaked out when a student showed him to his locker. Since the commune shared everything, Cap had no clue why anyone would need to lock something away. Cap also didn't know how to shake people's hands. He stares cluelessly at anyone who sticks their hand out at him.

Now that you've read my description of Cap, let me trace the steps that led him to his new school situation.

First off, Cap spent his entire life living in a commune where he was home-schooled by his grandmother, Rain. One day a terrible accident happened. His grandmother was picking plums from a tree and got distracted. Suddenly she fell. Cap had to rush her to the hospital --driving her there himself even though he is only thirteen. Once at the hospital, Cap learned that his grandmother broke her hip and would not be able to return to the commune. Since Rain was his only caregiver, Cap needed someone new to take care of him. In walks a woman named Flora who is supposed to find him a new home. She has her own history with the commune, so she decides to take care of Cap herself and enroll him in the local public school. Now, after all of that, Cap is learning a new life as a student in public school.

I hope that helped you get a good picture of the book I'm reading and showed you how to answer this week's prompt!

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

rheona

9/29/2014 02:30:41 pm

Is cap his actual given name or is that just a nickname?

Ms. Kimball

9/29/2014 03:19:37 pm

Hi Rheona,

Cap is his nickname. His real name is Capricorn. A very unique name for a very unique kid! Thanks for asking.

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Talia

10/2/2014 12:26:34 pm

I read Schooled too! It is a really good book. Have you finished it or are you still reading it. Are you it so far?

Ms. Kimball

10/4/2014 05:24:10 am

Dear Talia,

I am still reading Schooled. I absolutely love it! It is so funny and I love the characters. Also, there are so many interesting vocabulary words used throughout. It makes it a fun read. Did you feel similarly?

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Forrest

10/2/2014 02:46:14 pm

Dear Ms. Kimball,

I was wondering what happened to Cap's parents. Also, when I was in Tibet I met some nomads and they live up in the mountains in little communities kind of like Cap. I liked how they traveled lightly and didn't need a lot and took care of each other.
Is this book based on a true story? It sounds so interesting.

Your student,
Forrest

Danny

10/3/2014 11:28:23 am

Dear Ms.Kimball
I am going to compare and contrast both Sticky and Raynie. They are both really smart they both got excepted into the academy. Raynie is really good at doing puzzles and riddles or something like that. Sticky is great at memorization and smarts.

Sam

10/5/2014 05:19:34 am

Dear Ms. Kimball,
Is Flora nice to cap is she like a evil stepmother from Disney or is she a nice loving person?
Sincerely,
Sam

Rheona

9/29/2014 01:03:34 am

Hi ms.kimball,
I choose to use the words:
describe- tell about, paint a picture with words,
compare- contrast
contrast- tell the ways there are different

I will describe the two main characters(sisters), Sabrina and Daphne. Sabrina is the older sister of the two of them, she is in 6th grade. SHe has long uncombed blond hair and bright blue eyes. Daphne is the younger one and she is in 2nd grade. She has medium length brown hair and bright blue eyes.

Now I will compare Sabrina and Daphne:
I think that sabrina and daphne are the same because:
1. they both don't like Puck
2. they both are scared of mr.canis
3. they both love school

To contrast them I will do the same thing:
1. sabrina is always negative about everything
2. daphne is very gullible
3. sabrina does not trust anyone

your student,
Rheona

Ms. Kimball

9/29/2014 03:24:18 pm

Hi Rheona,

I enjoyed reading your comment, but I was hoping you could turn your "compare and contrast" list into sentences so it reads like two paragraphs. The numbered list is harder to read, especially the contrast section because I don't know how one sister is different from the other. For example, you say "Sabrina is always negative about everything." Does that mean Daphne isn't?

Thanks so much!
Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Sofia

9/30/2014 09:12:03 am

Dear Rheona,
I really liked your response to this weeks blog! I liked how instead of just saying what two power words you will use, you also explained what they mean!

~Sofia

Olivia D.

9/30/2014 09:45:13 am

Dera Rheona,

I loved reading your comment I could really picture what Sabrina and Daphne looked like by the way you described them. I really got the idea of all there character traits by the way you compared and contrasted them.

Sincerely,
Olivia D.

Kathleen

9/30/2014 02:49:14 pm

I liked how you planned your reading blog and its all organized!!!!

OliviaY.

9/30/2014 06:39:14 am

Dear Ms.Kimball,
I choose theese words:
Decribe:paint a picture with words
Compare:tell all the waysthat they are the sme
Contrast:tell all the ways they are different

Now I am going to tell you about Ruthie she is one of the main chaacters,she has brown,short hair,she is in 7'grade,and she has a sister older than her.One of the other main character is Jack and he is a more open kindof person,he is the only one that has a friend that is a girl,and he has all the cool things.

Now I am going to compare Jack to Ruthie:
Ruthie and Jack both are in the same grade.Ruthie and Jack both like doing daring stuff,another example is,that they both have the same stuff in comman.

Now I am going to tell contrast Jack to Ruthie:
Ruthie has old stuff like Ruthie has te same house as everybody,and Jack built his house,Ruthie lives with her parents and sister,Jack ony lives with his mom,and Jack doesn't have a sibbling.

Sincerly,
OliviaY.

Ms. Kimball

10/1/2014 11:58:45 am

Dear Olivia,

Thank you for revising your comment! Jack and Ruthie sound like interesting characters. I have a couple of questions for you:
1. What are some of the daring things that Jack and Ruthie have done?
2. What is Jack's personality like? You said he was an "open kind of person", what do you mean by that?

Thanks so much Olivia!

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Alec

10/3/2014 04:16:22 pm

Dear Olivia,
I really like how you responded to the blog, it is detailed and I can understand it very well. I wish I wrote my blog like yours. Great job!

Sincerely,
Alec

Julia

9/30/2014 08:54:46 am

Dear Ms. Kimball,

I have just started the book Insurgent by Veronica Roth. I am going to contrast the faction Dauntless, and the faction Abnegation. I am also going to make a prediction.

One of the differences between Dauntless and Abnegation is their appearences. Since the Abnegation are selfless they don't think or care about what they look like. Therefore they all look similar. For example, they all wear grey and all the girls wear their hair in buns. On the other hand, Dauntless have piercings all over their faces, have tattoos covering them so much you can barely see their skin. Also they wear only black.

Another difference is their mindset. The Dauntless mindset is that they are always brave, and they have no fears. For instance they jump on and off moving trains like it's nothing. When you look at the Abnegation, you see that they are determined to help others and be selfless. For example, both of the main character Tris parents risked their lives for both Tris and their faction.

I predict that in the book all of the factions (not just Abnegation) start falling apart. I think this because Tris and Tobias are going to try and stop Erudite and I think there will be some sort of conflict when they try to do so.

Sincerely,

Julia

Arim link

9/30/2014 10:41:57 am

Dear Julia.

Why do you think all the factions are going to fall apart, and I really like how you explained how dauntless and divergent dress up. My favorite faction is dauntless.

Ms. Kimball

10/1/2014 12:04:05 pm

Dear Julia,

I agree with Arim --nice job describing the Dauntless and Abnegation factions. I got a clear picture of each of them and how they are different in my head.

I find it interesting that you think the factions are going to break apart. I'm curious how Tris and Tobias might initiate that. You finished the book already, right? Congratulations!!

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Sofia

9/30/2014 09:09:50 am

Dear Ms.Kimball,
The book I am reading (Still...) is "The One I Left Behind".
First I will trace what brought Reggie up to the moment I am at right now, then I will predict what will happen next.

When Reggie was thirteen, her mother got taken from Neptune, who, 3 days later, as usual, left her mother hand on the steps infront of the police station.
She, her two best friends Tara and Charlie, and Charlie's cousin Sid,
decided to attempt to find Neptune, ending in something happening to Sid. "Reggie remembered that night, Remembered Tara's hand reaching down for Sid and coming back up covered in blood."
25 years years later, she had moved away from Brighton Falls (Where she grew up) And has a boyfriend, (I forget his name already ... Oops.) and became a world famous architect. She had almost completely left behind her previous life when she gets a phone call telling her her mother was found, alive. She then faces her fears and moved back to Brighton Falls, lying to her boyfriend that she was on a business trip. Though, she got scared again and left Brighton Falls. When she came back she learned that her boyfriend found out she had been there and that she was lying. He left her out of anger but immediately came back later saying he was sorry, but she had already headed back to Brighton Falls to see that her old friend Tara was now caring for her mother. But, Tara was very into Neptunes crimes when she was 13, and she still was. She got too close and Neptune took her, So Reggie decided to follow Neptune for herself, after finding a note from Neptune saying "Regina (Reggie) is next). After she has found Neptune, (Who is Charlie's father AND the detectives on the crime!!!) She gets a phone call from her boyfriend saying he'll be right over so she won't do it alone and not to do anything stupid, etc. But she went in anyway.

I predict that her boyfriend will come over and find her. I think she'll already be in trouble by then though, And they will have to work together to get themselves out of their situation.

~Sofia

Ms. Kimball

10/1/2014 12:12:50 pm

Dear Sofia,

As usual, your book sound frightening and thrilling from your descriptions! When I read your first line, I got a little confused. You wrote:
"When Reggie was thirteen, her mother got taken from Neptune, who, 3 days later, as usual, left her mother hand on the steps infront of the police station."
I think you meant to say that Reggie's mother got taken BY Neptune (it sounded like she was taken from the planet Neptune). And that Neptune left Reggie's mother's hand (mother with an apostrophe then an "s", because the hand belongs to her.. or belonged…ewww!!) on the steps. Now that sounds scary!!

Try not to give away the ending. I'm guessing Reggie and her boyfriend are in for a battle with Neptune by the end. I hope they defeat him! Teamwork is usually key to solving most problems. Enjoy the ending!

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Sam

9/30/2014 09:17:19 am

Dear Ms. Kimball,
The words i chose are evaluate and describe.

I have finished The Name Of This Book Is Secret. On a scale rom 1 to 10 I give the book a 10. I liked this book because you never knew where the story was going to go or end. For example there's a lot of suspense and right when you think you know the whole story BAM you're off track and you're back to the drawing board.

A key object in the book is the magician's notebook. The magician died in a fire years ago. His house along with his secret hideout were forgotten until Cass and Max-ernest stumble upon his house and find the notebook. What looks like a few sentences is actually an anagram that contains a secret message. The notebook is old and dusty and smells of sulfur.
I suggest this book to people who like mystery and suspense.

Sincerely,
Sam

Ms. Kimball

10/1/2014 12:15:17 pm

Dear Sam,

Congratulations on finishing The Name of This Book is Secret! I loved that book! You described the plot structure of the story well. You said, "there's a lot of suspense and right when you think you know the whole story BAM you're off track and you're back to the drawing board." I totally agree! Books that keep you guessing are always fun.

What are you going to read next, I wonder!

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Layla

10/2/2014 08:30:27 am

Dear Sam,
It sounds like you really liked that book! I should read it sometime.
From, Layla

Ms. Kimball

10/2/2014 09:04:16 am

Dear Layla,

If you like mystery, suspense, and snarky humor, "The Name of This Book is Secret" is a great book for you! It's a very different type of book that Hattie Big Sky, but give it a shot once you finish.

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Olivia D.

9/30/2014 09:39:59 am

Dear Mrs.Kimball,

I am currently reading the book "Because of Mr. Terupt"

I am going to start of by contrasting Alexia from the beginning to the end.
At the beginning Alexia was cruel to everyone and always forced the other kids to do what she said. Also she would pretend she was not your friend the first day then the next day she would start to be friendly to you again.
At the end of the story Alexia had a talk with her teacher about doing the right thing and how she was disrespectful to everyone including him. She finally realized that he was right and began to make more and more friends without forcing them to do whatever she says.

Now that you can see how Alexia changes over the months let me move on and explain to you what is happening.

Everyone in Mr. Terupt's class had something they stood out for and Mr. Terupt seemed to know that for example one student Jessica is really smart but has a hard time fitting in and Peter is just a huge trouble maker. But Mr. Terupt knows how to deal with them. One snowy day the class was out playing until an accident changed everything it also changed everybody.

To finish it off I'm going to compare how Peter and Alexia are the same.

Alexia and Peter may seem different but they could not be more alike. First of all Alexia and Peter both struggle with friends. Towards the end of the story Alexia realizes Peter and her both are repeatedly mean because they are worried others will make fun of them because of there differences.

I hope I really described what was going on in my story.

Sincerely,
Olivia D.

Ms. Kimball

10/1/2014 12:23:01 pm

Dear Olivia,

Wow! You were so thoughtful in how you analyzed Alexia, explained the story, and compared Alexia and Peter. Alexia sounded like a bully in the beginning. I'm so glad she realized the fault of her ways. You make a good point about Alexia and Peter. Maybe they struggle with friends because they are seeking out attention in negative ways instead of positive ways, like being kind and respectful. The book has a powerful message that anyone can change their ways. Have you finished the book?

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Rheona

10/2/2014 09:07:31 am

Wow! I love that book where are you? Did ms. Kimball inspire you to read it or did you decide to read it before?

Sage P

10/2/2014 10:56:19 am

Oh my gosh Olivia I didn't know you are such and amazing writer. I like that you compared two charecters. You used such detailed words I can't believe it. Wonderful job, Olivia!

Amy

10/5/2014 07:58:28 am

Dear Olivia,
Great description i can really understand the story! Which makes me want to read it even more!!

Sincerely,
Amy

Arim link

9/30/2014 10:37:14 am

Dear ms. Kimball

I predict that at the end of my book called Alex Rider: Ark angle that he's going to blow up ark angle and fall down onto earth and land in the ocean. I'll explain why I think that. I think that because He has to explode ark angle. Alex might make it back or he might not, I will never know if I don't finish it. And so won't you if you don't. If you infer to know more about the book Alex Rider: Ark Angle. Get the book from the class library and start reading.

From Arim

Ms. Kimball

10/1/2014 11:55:32 am

Hi Arim,

Your prediction is quite thrilling. I have a few questions for you:
1. When you say, "he," do you mean Alex Rider?
2. What is Ark angle? (Or is it "Arc Angel"?)
3. Have you inferred anything about Alex's personality from his actions in the story?

Thanks Arim!
Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Sage W.

9/30/2014 10:38:15 am

Dear Ms.Kimball,

I just started To Kill a Mocking Bird and I predict that Scout, and Dill are going to fall in love later on in the story when there older.But I also think that Boo Radly will have been alive all these years. And I think that he will come out of hiding and when he does he will probably change all life in Maycomb County forever!

I will now describe Maycomb County the best I can.Maycomb is an old southern town with not much going on.The old town is pretty much the dullest place in the world except the one family that is the Radly family.The Radly,s are a very odd family and are the only thing in the town that isn't perfect.There son Boo was crazy and was sent away and know Jem Finch think he's dead stuffed up some old chimeny in his house,but Scout Finch knows better.Scout Finch knows Boo's alive somewhere in that old house.No matter what her brother says.

Ms. Kimball

10/1/2014 11:52:29 am

Dear Sage,

To Kill A Mocking Bird is such a classic book! I'm impressed you're tackling it! You made an interesting prediction about the characters. I'm curious about a few things.
1. Why do you think Scout and Dill are going to fall in love?
2. Why do you think those things about Boo Radley?
3. In your description of Maycomb, you say it is dull. Can you describe something about it that shows how dull it is?

Thanks so much Sage! Happy reading!
Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Sage W.

10/2/2014 03:16:01 pm

Dear Ms.Kimball,

I think Dill and Scout are going to fall in love because the author keeps
giving little hints like when Dill "Proposed" to Scout.

I think those things about Boo Radley because he's an odd charactor who all the Maycomb children are slightly freaked out by.

I think Maycomb is kinda dull because it's and old town where nothing really big happens but obviosly something will happen because authors write books for reasons.

Ms. Kimball

10/4/2014 05:26:15 am

Dear Sage,

Thank you for replying to me below! I now have a better idea of the characters and the setting.

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Julia

10/1/2014 11:52:47 am

Dear Sage,

What makes you think that Scout and Dill are going to fall in love?

Sincerely,
Julia

Kathleen

9/30/2014 02:53:22 pm

Dear Ms.Kimball,

Im reading The One and Only Ivan and its a great story and Ivan is a gorilla and he is alone and im still reading it and im going to find out if he is getting a friend or not.

Ms. Kimball

10/1/2014 11:46:32 am

Dear Kathleen,

Your review is so short! Can you write more about what you're reading so I can learn more about how you're making sense of your book?

Thank you!
Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Layla

10/1/2014 11:07:41 am

Dear Ms.Kimball,
I am reading Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson. Hattie's new neighbor, Traft Martin, invited Hattie to church with his family. Traft has a reputation of charming people, then doing bad things. For example, he rode a cow really hard, then left him on the side of the road. Hattie goes to church, but declines the offer of Traft taking her.
After the service is over, Hattie stays with a group of women and knits. Traft's mother is one of those people and announces that the church is thinking about setting up a choir. Hattie says that Perilee, her late Uncle Chester's wife, sings very well and would be perfect for the choir. Since Perilee remarried a German man, and since the war in Europe was going on, people were against Germans. Traft's mom says that Perilee can't join because of that reason. Hattie gets mad and leaves.
From, Layla

Ms. Kimball

10/1/2014 11:44:32 am

Dear Layla,

It sounds like there is a lot of interesting drama going on in Hattie Big Sky! You did a nice job summarizing recent developments clearly yet specifically. Based on what you wrote, Traft and his mother seem like inconsiderate people. I hope they never become my neighbor!

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Mikey

10/1/2014 12:45:28 pm

Dear Mrs. Kimball,
The book I am reading is called Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I am going to explain any contrasts I noticed so far between Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy. Harry and Draco are sworn enemies and throughout this book it is very easy to see the differences between the two of them.
Harry is kind. An example of his kindness is that he didn't want Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville... any of his friends to go with him to fight Voldemort because he knew that they would get hurt. They all did end up getting hurt, but they won the fight. Harry never would have won that fight alone.
Draco, on the other hand, is very mean. He treats his friends Crabbe and Goyle like his personal servants. For example, he makes them carry his luggage off the train into Hogwarts. Draco is very bossy and evil. Literally!
It seems like Harry is desperate to find a family. He seems lonely. Any family gatherings at school, he always feels left out. He wants to be guided.
Draco's father, Lucius Malfoy, is very strict and very demanding of his son. Draco tries to be what his dad wants him to be. He feels a lot of pressure, always like his father is watching.
In conclusion, Harry and Draco are very different. They both need the school for learning but intend to do different things with their power.

Ms. Kimball

10/2/2014 09:10:03 am

Dear Mikey,

WOW! You did a fantastic job contrasting Harry and Draco! You were clear, organized, and found lots of supportive evidence. I agree with everything you said. I especially liked how you mentioned the family relationship that Harry has versus the one Draco has. I never really thought about Harry and Draco that way --Harry wishing for guidance and support and Draco dealing with too much parent pressure. You helped me realize that family situation can really influence a person's personality. I wonder if Draco would be a kinder kid if his dad wasn't so strict and demanding.

Great job Mikey!

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Sage W.

10/1/2014 02:51:13 pm

Dear Olivia D,

I thought you did an amazing job contrasting Alexia from the beginning to the end! I also loved how you compared Alexia and Peter

RHEONA

10/2/2014 09:05:02 am

Hi ms.kimball,
I choose to use the words:
describe- tell about, paint a picture with words,
compare- contrast
contrast- tell the ways there are different

I will describe the two main characters(sisters), Sabrina and Daphne. Sabrina is the older sister of the two of them, she is in 6th grade. SHe has long uncombed blond hair and bright blue eyes. Daphne is the younger one and she is in 2nd grade. She has medium length brown hair and bright blue eyes.

Now I will compare Sabrina and Daphne:
I think that sabrina and daphne are the same because:
One thing that they have in common is that they both hate a mischievous fairy-boy that lives with them also they are both are scared of the butler, Mr.Canis. The last thing is that even though they don’t go to school very often they both hate school.

To contrast them I will do the same thing:
Sabrina is always so negative about everything and never trust anyone. Daphne is always positive about everything, also she is very gullible.
your student,
Rheona

Ms. Kimball

10/4/2014 05:30:26 am

Dear Rheona,

Thank you for revising your response! Sabrina and Daphne sound like dynamic characters. I wonder why they both hate school. Is is something about their personalities? Also, I wonder why Sabrina is so negative. Maybe it's because she is older than her sister and feels she has to be the tough one since they have to look out for themselves. I hope you're loving your book!

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Marc

10/2/2014 09:46:18 am

Dear Ms. Kimball,
The book I'm reading is alliegient by Veronica Roth. I am going to compare and contrast Tris (the main character) to Tobias who is her boyfriend. I picked these very unique characters because at some times they can act exactly the same but at other times they can act like totally different people.
I am going to do the contrasts first and do the comparing second.
Tris always trying to be kind to people, like when she shouted at Zoe she immediately apologized after she realized what she had done wrong. However Tobias he is used to shouting at people and not apologizing because at one point he was a dauntless trainer.
Tris is also really and doesn't have that many upper or lower body strength, but Tobias on the other hand is really muscular and he is also pretty tall for twenty years old.
Now I am going to compare Tris to Tobias.
First of all they are the only two transfers from Abnegation to Dauntless so that would probably be the first thing you would notice about them. They are also the same by being brave. For example when they volunteered to take a journey outside of the city to find the people who locked them in there, and to me that is a big act of bravery. Another one of the biggest similarities between them is that they can both refuse simulations. For example when the big simulation happened in the first book where the dauntless were programed to kill the abnegation they had to pretend they were under the simulation too.

From,
Marc

Ms. Kimball

10/4/2014 05:37:17 am

Dear Marc,

You really organized your response well! There is so much action and drama in the Divergent series --I'm impressed that you can follow it all! When Tris and Tobias transferred to their new faction, I wonder what characteristics they had to lose about themselves in order to fit it. For example, you know how when you're in a new class at school or a new group outside of school, often times you don't really feel like yourself because you're holding parts of your personality back. I wonder if Tris and Tobias do that. Sounds like Tobias might be the one less likely to hold anything back!

Thanks for responding!
Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Marc

10/5/2014 12:23:30 pm

Dear Ms. Kimball,
I think the charecteristics that Tris and Tobias gave up were mostly being kind and helpful because that is what Abnegation is all about. Also, another big characteristic is the clothes, because they switched from light gray clothes to black clothes.

From,
Marc

oliviaY.

10/2/2014 10:22:52 am

Dear Rheona,
Great job! I noticed we have simalar things about our responds I like how you described that character.

Sincerly,
OliviaY.

Sage p

10/2/2014 10:53:19 am

Describe, one part in my book Sam, Grace, Court, and Emily are getting sick and tierd of Ashley bugging on Ashley's behavior. They finally come upwith an idea to crack Ashley. They took most of Ashley's clothesand put them in a canoe and pushed it into the lake.

Infer, I think Ashley is actualy a big brat and she get's everything her way. I also think that Sam's mom and Hitch (the directer of the camp, and Ashley's dad) will get married and Sam will have to live with Ashley. I think that because Sam's mom and Hitch really like each other.

Ms. Kimball

10/4/2014 05:42:16 am

Dear Sage,

Your book sounds fun! Your summary of your book is a little confusing, though. You said the kids "are getting sick and tierd of Ashley bugging on Ashley's behavior." How is Ashley bugging on her own behavior? I was having trouble getting a picture in my mind of what's happening.

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

kaela

10/2/2014 11:30:05 am

I am going to summarize the book I am currently reading. Its name is because of Winn Dixie. At the start she is at the grocery store and there is a bunch of frootes rolling arrowed. She fines that it was a dog. She doesn't want the dog to go to the pound so she says it was her dog. She said the dogs name was Winn Dixie because that was the name of the store. I would love to say more but that is all I've gotten to yet. ):

Ms. Kimball

10/4/2014 05:43:29 am

Dear Kaela,

Great book! Can you use one more power verb to write about? You only used one --summarize.

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Mikey

10/2/2014 11:30:57 am

Dear Mrs. Kimball,
I am going to predict what will happen between Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy as they get older.
I predict that Harry and Draco will get into a lot of fights as they get older. Maybe Draco will even become as evil as Lord Voldemort someday! They hate each other and always insult each other as they walk past one another. I will keep reading to find out if my predictions come true.
Sincerely,
Mikey

Talia

10/2/2014 01:02:56 pm

Ms. Kimball
I'm reading Mr. Popper's Penguins. Mr. Popper already has a male and a female penguin. I think they will lay eggs and the house will be filled with baby penguins. I think snow will somehow get into the house. If that happens the penguins may want to stay outside of the ice box. I think Mr. Popper will do something relatively silly for the penguins.

Ms. Kimball

10/4/2014 05:44:40 am

Dear Talia,

A fun prediction! Can you use one more power verb to write about your book? You only predicted.

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Forrest

10/2/2014 02:39:17 pm

Dear Ms. Kimball,

I am reading the book Warriors into the wild by Erin Hunter. I am going to compare Firepaw and Graypaw. They’re the same because they are both very good at hunting and getting the food back to the clan. They are great friends so Graypaw teaches Firepaw and Firepaw helps Graypaw. They are both not the fiercest cats in the clan. They both have some compassion but don’t really want to show it. I like that they both have that quality.

Since I am almost done with the book I am going to predict how it is going to end. I think that Firepaw and Yellowfang (the medicine cat who came to Thunderclan from Shadowclan) are going to be closer as friends. I also think that Yellowfang is going to get killed because she is very weak and can’t really fight with one front paw. I think Firepaw is going to take it hard. I wouldn’t be surprised if Firepaw became the leader of the clan or a really important warrior.

There is a part in the book when Ravenpaw was telling a story. He said that Redtail killed Oakheart. But when Tigerclaw was telling Firepaw the same story, he said that he himself killed Oakheart in revenge. Firepaw was confused about why Ravenpaw would tell the story differently. And when Tigerclaw overheard, he got very angry. I infer that there is bad blood between them. There is other evidence where it seems like there is tension and jealousy and even Firepaw doesn’t understand it.

Your student,

Forrest

Mikey

10/5/2014 02:06:33 am

Dear Forrest,
I think you did a great job using the power verbs that you chose. You made me want to read that book! I like that you described how Tigerclaw told the story different from Ravenclaw.
Sincerely,
Mikey

Ms. Kimball

10/5/2014 11:03:18 am

Dear Forrest,

Great job comparing, predicting, and inferring. You are a true Reading Ranger! That's great that you're almost finished your book. I should be able to keep you stocked on reading material since I have books 1-4 for certain. The Warriors series sounds so exciting. I hope you get to the bottom of the killing of Oakheart. I am intrigued why there would be two different stories around his death. Sounds someone has something to hide!

Keep up the strong reading!
Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Yubin

10/3/2014 03:02:23 pm

Dear Ms. Kimball,

I just read a short story called, "Jodie's father is a garbageman", by Matthew Licht. First I will describe Mr. Harris who is Jodie's daddy.
Mr. Harris is a ggarbageman. He likes his job. He always go to work early in the morning. He likes Big Al, who is a garbage truck driver. When he gets home, he takes a long shower.

Now, I will summarize the story. First, Jodie did not like it when her friends teased her that her dad was a garbageman. When she went home, she told her dad that her friends teased. The next day dad brought Jodie to his work. Jodie's dad picked up the trash and put them into the garbage truck. Jodie was having fun with it. After that, she wasn't afraid to say that her father was a garbageman.

Sincerely,
Yubin

Ms. Kimball

10/5/2014 11:06:46 am

Dear Yubin,

What a heartwarming story you read! I'm so glad that Jodie realized how great her dad is and that his job is fun (even if it's a little stinky!) It sounds like Jodie changed throughout the story --just like Laura changed in the book we read in class called The Memory String. I hope you enjoyed the story!

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Alec

10/4/2014 05:47:36 am

Dear Ms. Kimball,
My three power verbs are...
Predict-Tell what will happen next
Compare-Tell all the ways they are the same
Contrast-Tell all the ways they are different

I will predict what will happen in my book, Wings of Fire. I predict that Clay will go out of the cave and stop the war with the chosen ones. Since he is also a chosen one too.

I will compare Kestrel with Starflight. Starflight is a boy, just like Kestrel. They are also fierce fighters. There is nothing else they are alike.

I will contrast Clay with Kestrel.
Clay is not a fierce fighter but Kestrel is. Kestrel is a girl but Clay is a boy. (so I don’t know why Clay is not as fierce as Kestrel) Also Kestrel is full grown but Clay is not yet full grown.

Those are my three power verbs, predict, compare, and contrast.

Sincerely,
Alec

Ms. Kimball

10/5/2014 11:10:05 am

Dear Alec,

I wonder what your book is about. It sounds interesting, especially given the names of the characters you mentioned. Try to avoid comparing characters based on things they can't really change, like their gender or their age. It's much more exciting to compare them based on their actions or personality. That's what makes characters so much fun to read about!

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Amy

10/5/2014 07:55:27 am

Dear Ms.Kimball,
I will be using these words
- Describe
- Compare
- Explain

I'm looking for a book but i just finished one. Its called The Lost Children.

Ida is a outgoing type of person, She's not afraid to say what she thinks.Ida is also very mysterious because she has short black that covers her eyes, Even though she isn't shy she still is mysterious.

I am going to compare Josephine and Fargus with each other. They are the same because they both are really quite. They also both act like Ida is there leader. They have this little language between them.

Im going to explain how Josephine and Fargus have the secret language. There language is more like reading the mind because if Josephine was going to ask Fargus if he anted oatmeal he would shake his head before Josephine even finished the sentence.

Sincerely,
Amy

Nathan

10/6/2014 01:33:40 am

Dear Ms.kimball

I am going to summarize the story of what has happened so far, and then predict what will happen next

I am reading Space Case, it is a mystery about people living on MBA (moon base alpha)

In the beginning Dash is explaining about MBA, how it would seem amazing and how NASA and the government said how the experience would be amazing but no, its not. Its really a nightmare he is explaining all these things of how its bad. Next Dash explained all of the base. then there was a part when he had to go to the bathroom and the toilet gets clogged, he overhears Dr. Holtz about telling the news about something which we did not get told all the information.

Dash was super excited because dr Holtz wanted to tell the news to everybody so he woke up early and got his stuff on but he got held back by his mom and his little sister. Then they got a warning for Dash's parents to meet somewhere and the letters were buzzing red so they knew it was bad. It turned out that dr Holtz died and they said that he walked out of MBA by himself and his space suit was not properly attached so he ran out of oxygen and died.

Dash thought this was suspicious because Dr Holtz made up the rule to not go by yourself and to never put your space suit on by yourself. Dash thinks that Dr Holtz was forced to go out there like that and so he was murdered.

I predict that Dash will find evidence and prove to everybody and maybe NASA or the government are behind the murder because they did not want Dr Holtz to tell the news to the whole entire world.

From

Nathan

Student Work
for
Ms. Kimball's Grade 5 At Underwood, 2014-2015

Relive the greatness of this unforgettable group of students, my fabulous fifth grade class from Underwood Elementary School in Newton.